Cheapest US states to live in
The cheapest US state to live in is Arkansas, with an overall price level of 86.6 on the BEA Regional Price Parity scale (US = 100) — roughly 13.4% below the national average. Close behind are Mississippi (87.3) and Alabama (87.8). The full ranking of all 51 states and DC, cheapest first, is below.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (RPP), all items. Data as of June 2026.
All 51 states ranked, cheapest to most expensive
| # | State | RPP (US=100) | vs US | Median income | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arkansas | 86.6 | -13.4% | $58,700 | $982 |
| 2 | Mississippi | 87.3 | -12.7% | $54,203 | $990 |
| 3 | Alabama | 87.8 | -12.2% | $62,212 | $1,077 |
| 4 | South Dakota | 88.0 | -12.0% | $71,810 | $999 |
| 5 | Iowa | 88.4 | -11.6% | $71,433 | $981 |
| 6 | North Dakota | 88.7 | -11.3% | $76,525 | $980 |
| 7 | Oklahoma | 88.8 | -11.2% | $62,138 | $1,044 |
| 8 | West Virginia | 89.2 | -10.8% | $55,948 | $883 |
| 9 | Kentucky | 89.4 | -10.6% | $61,118 | $998 |
| 10 | Nebraska | 89.8 | -10.2% | $74,590 | $1,102 |
| 11 | Kansas | 90.0 | -10.0% | $70,333 | $1,079 |
| 12 | Montana | 90.3 | -9.7% | $70,804 | $1,177 |
| 13 | Louisiana | 90.6 | -9.4% | $58,229 | $1,064 |
| 14 | New Mexico | 91.0 | -9.0% | $62,268 | $1,117 |
| 15 | Missouri | 91.1 | -8.9% | $68,545 | $1,067 |
| 16 | Ohio | 91.5 | -8.5% | $67,769 | $1,090 |
| 17 | Idaho | 91.8 | -8.2% | $74,942 | $1,384 |
| 18 | Indiana | 91.8 | -8.2% | $69,477 | $1,104 |
| 19 | Tennessee | 91.8 | -8.2% | $67,631 | $1,284 |
| 20 | Wyoming | 91.9 | -8.1% | $72,415 | $998 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | 92.3 | -7.7% | $74,631 | $1,142 |
| 22 | Michigan | 93.4 | -6.6% | $69,183 | $1,168 |
| 23 | South Carolina | 93.6 | -6.4% | $67,804 | $1,272 |
| 24 | North Carolina | 94.2 | -5.8% | $70,804 | $1,338 |
| 25 | Utah | 94.5 | -5.5% | $93,421 | $1,593 |
| 26 | Georgia | 95.8 | -4.2% | $74,632 | $1,506 |
| 27 | Pennsylvania | 96.2 | -3.8% | $73,824 | $1,252 |
| 28 | Nevada | 96.4 | -3.6% | $76,364 | $1,709 |
| 29 | Texas | 97.5 | -2.5% | $75,780 | $1,475 |
| 30 | Minnesota | 97.7 | -2.3% | $85,086 | $1,291 |
| 31 | Delaware | 98.0 | -2.0% | $82,174 | $1,530 |
| 32 | Arizona | 99.9 | -0.1% | $77,315 | $1,672 |
| 33 | Maine | 100.8 | +0.8% | $73,733 | $1,210 |
| 34 | Vermont | 101.1 | +1.1% | $81,211 | $1,319 |
| 35 | Illinois | 101.3 | +1.3% | $80,306 | $1,322 |
| 36 | Alaska | 102.0 | +2.0% | $88,121 | $1,444 |
| 37 | Florida | 102.1 | +2.1% | $73,311 | $1,812 |
| 38 | Virginia | 102.1 | +2.1% | $89,931 | $1,646 |
| 39 | Colorado | 102.3 | +2.3% | $92,911 | $1,822 |
| 40 | Rhode Island | 104.7 | +4.7% | $84,972 | $1,418 |
| 41 | Maryland | 105.0 | +5.0% | $98,678 | $1,721 |
| 42 | Connecticut | 106.4 | +6.4% | $91,665 | $1,550 |
| 43 | Oregon | 106.6 | +6.6% | $80,160 | $1,597 |
| 44 | New Hampshire | 107.6 | +7.6% | $96,838 | $1,558 |
| 45 | New York | 107.6 | +7.6% | $82,095 | $1,634 |
| 46 | New Jersey | 108.8 | +8.8% | $99,781 | $1,800 |
| 47 | Massachusetts | 109.4 | +9.4% | $99,858 | $1,848 |
| 48 | Washington | 109.8 | +9.8% | $94,605 | $1,824 |
| 49 | Hawaii | 110.8 | +10.8% | $95,322 | $1,942 |
| 50 | California | 112.5 | +12.5% | $95,521 | $2,104 |
| 51 | District of Columbia | 112.8 | +12.8% | $108,210 | $1,931 |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (RPP), all items (2022); U.S. Census Bureau, ACS median household income & U.S. Census Bureau, ACS median gross rent (Table B25064) (2023). Data as of June 2026.
Affordable, but check the salaries
The most affordable states are concentrated in the South and Midwest, where housing — the biggest driver of cost-of-living differences — is far cheaper. But low prices often come with lower wages, so the real test is your take-home pay against local costs. Convert your salary with the calculator, or see the most expensive states for the other end.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest state to live in?
Arkansas has the lowest overall price level in the country, at 86.6 on the BEA Regional Price Parity scale (US average = 100) — about -13.4% versus the nation, meaning everyday prices run roughly 13.4% below average. Mississippi (87.3) and Alabama (87.8) are close behind.
Do cheaper states also pay lower salaries?
Often, yes. The most affordable states tend to have lower median household incomes too, so a low price level does not automatically mean you'll save more — it depends on the job. For example, Arkansas's median household income is $58,700. Use the calculator to compare your own salary across states.
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Last updated: 2026-06-18